-･- From My Everyday Life to Japanese Culture -･- Why don't you see the real Japan, not the typical foreigners' version.

I went to Osaka to see an event that would help with job at my own expense. The event finished at noon. I righteously joined my friend at Osaka station, and we took a train for Kyoto.

For me, “Kawayuka (川床: dining decks built above rivers)” is one of the things I'm looking forward to in summer. Many restaurants open decks overlooking a river from May to September. While the decks along Kamo River (鴨川) in downtown Kyoto are called “Kawayuka (川床)”, those in Kibune (貴船) and Takao (高雄), rural districts of Kyoto City, are called “Kawadoko.”

I dined at a Japanese restaurant, “Sakura (櫻)” in Kiyamachi (木屋町), west bank of Kamo River between Shijo (fourth) Street and Sanjo (third) Street. An acquaintance took me this restaurant last summer, and I thought it was great spot for dining because of a great view, delicious dishes and kind hospitality of the staffs. One of other reasons was that the restaurant didn’t cram too many people in the Kawayuka space. I don’t want to dine on Kawayuka decks packed with people.

Yuba (湯葉: tofu skin) A soup dish of hamo (鱧: Muraenesox cinereus)

Broiled young sweetfish with salt and Mizugai (水貝: abalone sashimi serve in a glass with cold water and colorful cut vegetables)It was the real joy of Japanese food. This plate looked refreshingly cool.